Automatic beverage vending machine that has a milk supply circuit includes a cold milk tank, a variable speed milk pump, a steam generator, a milk heater, and an electronic milk control unit. The electronic milk control unit is electrically connected to the milk pump and to an air solenoid valve. The electronic milk control unit is configured to cause the milk supply circuit to deliver smooth or frothed, hot or cold milk. The electronic milk control unit is also configured to determine milk-related quantities including the type of cold milk contained in the cold milk tank, the temperature of the cold milk contained in the cold milk tank, the amount of foam to dispense, and the type of milk to dispense, and to control operation of the milk pump and of the air solenoid valve based on the determined milk-related quantities.

The present invention discloses a beverage discharge disposition comprising a discharge casing (1) configured so that can be provided in the front region of a beverage preparation machine (20), including the option of supplying milk and frothed milk, whereby said discharge casing (1) presents a milk circulation disposition (2) adapted so as to provide an ergonomic use of a beverage preparation machine, in particular with milk flux regulation means (3) of more ergonomic use.

The present invention further discloses a beverage preparation machine (20) and a process for operating said machine (20), in particular of a respective ergonomic beverage discharge disposition, according to the present invention.

Systems and methods for dispensing consumable liquids are disclosed. An example networked system includes a server and a plurality of beverage dispenser stations. Each of the beverage dispenser stations includes a filler including a filler outlet configured to deliver a beverage into a container, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag fixed to a water filter through which water for the beverage is to flow, and a controller. The controller is configured determine a duration-of-use of the water filter and a volume of water that has passed through the water filter. Each of the beverage dispenser stations also includes a network communications interface configured to communicate the duration-of-use and the volume of water to the networked administrative server to track use of the water filter among the plurality of beverage dispenser stations.

Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.

A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations. Additionally, the dispenser stations cooperatively operate with the cloud server (via the base station) to support a variety of real time control and maintenance operations relating to the dispenser stations operating at potentially thousands of distinct geographic locations.

A beverage dispenser includes a source of a base fluid, a source of a concentrate, and an assembly configured to receive and dispense the base fluid and the concentrate together as a mixed beverage having a predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. An actuator is configured to control flow of the base fluid and the concentrate to the assembly. The assembly is configured to premix a first portion of the base fluid with the concentrate to form a premixed concentrate, and to then dispense a combination of the premixed concentrate and a second portion of the base fluid as the mixed beverage having the predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. The actuation of the actuator causes an uninterrupted dispense of the base fluid and the concentrate from the source of the base fluid and the source of the concentrate, respectively, to the assembly, and from the assembly to a consumer of the mixed beverage.

Methods and systems directed to dispensing fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology are provided. Aspects relate to a beverage dispenser with a dispensing system housing, a valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing and extending from the dispensing system housing. The valve housing may be configured to dispense a beverage and include self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the valve housing. In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser has one or more additional valve housings positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing. The valve housing may be configured to dispense a beverage and include self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the valve housing.

A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations. Additionally, the dispenser stations cooperatively operate with the cloud server (via the base station) to support a variety of real time control and maintenance operations relating to the dispenser stations operating at potentially thousands of distinct geographic locations.

Examples disclosed herein relate to conduits, devices, systems and methods, which may include a dispensing device including a valve configured to interact with an inlet stream, the inlet stream having a first pressure, the valve having an outlet area with an outlet stream, the outlet stream having a second pressure; and a solenoid configured to interact with the outlet stream.

Improvements in a single serve point of consumption beverage dispensing valve is disclosed. The valve includes a fresh water input fitting, a carbonated water inlet fitting a vacuum pump that transfers concentrated from a flavor bullet and diffuses the concentrate with water an optionally carbonation to provide a consistent mixture. The flavor bullet manifold is self-cleaning to eliminate flavor cross-contamination. An initiation lever starts the mixing, diffusion and dispensing that is monitored and controlled with a micro water flow metering system that controls flow solenoids and dispensing of the mixed beverage.